AUSTRALIA OPENS GULF COAST TRADE OFFICE

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s international business development agency with representation in over 60 countries, including 19 locations across the United States. The New Orleans opening attracted a high-profile audience of business and government representatives from both countries, including Mayor Ray Nagin, City Council President Arnie Fielkow, Deputy Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Fran Gladden, members of the Consular Corps, and others.

Ambassador Richardson stated that the new Gulf Coast Trade Office will further extend the Australian Government’s ability to promote the growing trade and investment links between Australia and Louisiana. “This new Trade Office is the first international trade representation by a foreign government to be opened in New Orleans in 30 years and it illustrates the importance the Australian Government places on commercial ties with the Gulf Coast region,” he said.

Ambassador Richardson further stated that “Australia and the United States have enjoyed a strong trade relationship over many years, with Australia now the eighth largest source of foreign direct investment in the U.S. The deep and enduring nature of our commercial relationship was given tangible form when both countries agreed on the establishment of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on January 1, 2005.”

Australian companies have a long track record of trade and investment activity across the Gulf Coast region, with strong capabilities and product offerings in areas such as: oil and gas, infrastructure, construction, building products, and boat building. Following the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Australian businesses were among the most active of any foreign companies in investing in the recovery.

WTCA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MEET IN NEW ORLEANS

The annual General Assembly is the Association’s most important event. It is the only time each year when the entire membership is invited to come together, for an exciting four-day program of meetings, business appointments, and cultural events. In 2005 the Assembly was held in Shanghai, China, and in 2006 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Louisiana companies interested in attending the General Assembly are encouraged to promptly register for this opportunity to develop new personal and business relationships worldwide.

Full particulars about the General Assembly, the agenda, matchmaking opportunities, evening cultural events, tours, registration, and other information are available at www.wtca2007.com.  If you have any questions about any aspect of the event, contact Eugene Schreiber at (504) 529-1601, ext. 227, or via e-mail at eschreiber@wtcno.org. 

GULF COAST OIL EXPO IN LAFAYETTE OCTOBER 23-25

International Seminars will be offered during LAGCOE 2007 covering important issues for the oil and gas service industry. The seminars are part of LAGCOE’s technical sessions program and free to exhibitors and visitors at the show. The following seminars are currently scheduled:

October 23, 10:30 a.m. on “Understanding Trade Finance Before You Close an International Transaction” – The speakers will provide critical information to help U.S. companies stay competitive in the global marketplace.
October 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m. on “Opportunities in Mexico - Doing Business with Pemex” - The speakers from Mexico will discuss "Legal Issues in Mexico for the Oil and Gas Industry.” Mr. Francisco Ceron, Senior Commercial Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico City, will introduce the Mexican business delegation and speak briefly about the Energy Sector in Mexico.

October 24, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on “Opportunities and Developments in China and Nigeria for U.S. Oil & Gas Service Companies” - U.S. Commercial Service Oil & Gas Specialists, Mr. Cui “Sunny” Shiyang, based in Chengdu, China, and Ms. Benedicta “Ngozi” Nkwoh, based in Lagos, Nigeria, will introduce their delegation members and discuss opportunities for oil and gas industry service companies and the latest developments in their respective markets.

October 24, 3:30-4:30 p.m. on “U.S. Export Licensing Requirements for Oil & Gas Equipment” - George Richardson, U.S. Special Agent in Charge, Office of Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security, will discuss dual use export compliance and enforcement and oil and gas equipment licensing and security issues.

For details and registration information, visit LAGCOE’s website at www.lagcoe.com. 

PROGRAM ON IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION CHALLENGES

Last month the Americas Society received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to work with business leaders in three key U.S. cities, including New Orleans, to promote private and public sector initiatives to support the integration of immigrant communities.

The AS/COA will work with business leaders to catalogue and showcase initiatives that promote immigrant integration and adjustment while building broad support for the expansion of these activities. The project will convene national and local business leaders and engage public sector officials and community-based organizations in Atlanta, New Orleans and New York.

Through research, site visits and information exchanges, the initiative will identify successful examples of private sector programs such as: English language classes, skills training opportunities, assistance in documentation, tools to build financial literacy, and access to credit and the housing market. Examples and best practices will draw from national activities, but the primary focus will be on those in Atlanta, New Orleans, and New York.

This initiative will not advocate or weigh in on the ongoing national debate on immigration reform. Instead, it will focus on the integration of documented immigrants already in the United States. Periodic working papers and a final report detailing the depth and breadth of recent immigration, the economic and social benefits of immigrant worker integration, and best practices in facilitating integration will be shared with media, policymakers, business leaders, and U.S. presidential candidates.

The Americas Society (AS) is the premier forum dedicated to education, debate and dialogue in the Americas. The Council of the Americas (COA) is the premier international business organization whose members share a common commitment to economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Council’s membership consists of leading international companies representing a broad spectrum of sectors, including banking and finance, consulting services, consumer products, energy and mining, manufacturing, media, technology, and transportation.

To register for the November 2 luncheon program, call the WTCA at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or click here.

LOUISIANA TRADE MISSION TO HONDURAS AND COSTA RICA

SBDC TO HOLD EXPORT/IMPORT SEMINARS NOVEMBER 5-14

18th ANNUAL BREAKBULK CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS

“Breakbulk 2007: Worldwide Markets” will focus on the challenges facing those responsible for moving breakbulk cargo in today’s rapidly changing transportation environment. Attendees include: freight forwarders, third-party logistics providers, carriers, project cargo service providers, shippers, trucking companies, railroad executives, ocean carriers, terminal operators, port officials, stevedores, longshoremen, government officials and other transportation industry executives from the Americas, Europe and Asia.

To register for the conference, contact JoC Conferences at (760) 294-5563 or by email at events@joc.com.  For exhibiting and sponsorship information, contact Yvonne Berry at (209) 369-0003 or by email at yberry@joc.com.  Additional conference information can be found at www.joc.com/conferences/breakbulk/. 

BUTLER-MUELLER IS NEW COMMERCIAL OFFICER AT EAC

From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Butler-Mueller served as the Commercial Attaché at the American Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. She joined the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service in 2000, first working on marketing and public relations in the Office of the Director General. In 2002, she served overseas as a commercial officer in temporary duty assignments in Amman, Jordan, and Accra, Ghana.

Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Ms. Butler-Mueller grew up in Orlando, Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude in English Literature and Russian from the University of Florida and a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from the George Washington University. Ms. Butler-Mueller can be reached at (504) 589-6730 or via e-mail at Erin.Butler-Mueller@mail.doc.gov. 

PROPELLER CLUB GALA TO HONOR DAVID FENNELLY

On Thursday, October 18, the Propeller Club will honor its 48th recipient, Mr. David Fennelly, as their 2007 Maritime Person of the Year. Mr. Fennelly is President and CEO of Associated Terminals, LLC, Chairman of Turn Services Inc. and Co-Chairman of Monroe Marine and Associates, LLC which provide marine services including stevedoring, logistics, terminal operations, towing and fleeting. Those companies presently have in excess of 600 employees, trans-load over 15 million tons of cargo annually, and transport and fleet tens of thousands of barge loads of cargo each year for customers across the United States and internationally.

The 2007 Maritime Day Gala will be held at the Plimsoll Club in the World Trade Center in New Orleans on Thursday, October 18, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required. The cost is $90 per person. To register, contact the Propeller Club at (504) 779-5671 or propclubnola@bellsouth.net. 

CASA ARGENTINA TO HOLD TANGO NIGHT NOVEMBER 3

Casa Argentina of New Orleans is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 with the mission of preserving the Argentinean culture as well as developing educational and philanthropic activities. Since its creation, the association (run only by volunteers) has distributed the proceeds of its fundraisers to several local and international charitable causes. For additional information call (504) 861-8475 or (504) 931-9467, or contact Casa Argentina by e-mail at casaargentinanola@gmail.com. 

FRENCH AMERICAN CHAMBER BEAUJOLAIS FESTIVAL

AZÚCAR BALL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR STUDENTS

The black tie affair will take place at the InterContinental New Orleans, with non-stop music from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. by Julio y Cesar and Rumba Buena. There will also be a silent auction and of course fabulous food. The proceeds from the Azúcar Ball will provide needed monies for the Foundation’s scholarship fund. For the last 17 years the fund has provided outstanding Hispanic students with scholarships to attend some of the best high schools in the city. Individual tickets to the Ball are $100. Tickets to the Patron Party and the Ball are $150. For ticket information call Rosa Rodriguez at (504) 523-2600.

NEW LOUISIANA FOREST PRODUCTS WEBSITE

Users can search more than 1,000 companies according to product, parish or company name, Richard Vlosky, Director of the Forest Products Development Center, said in a news release. The location of any company selected is identified on a Louisiana map powered by Google software, and company contact information appears when a map icon is clicked.

Vlosky and Fred Piazza, LSU AgCenter chief information officer, developed the site. It was funded by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.